A CHILD has died after being hit by a car in Co Laois.
The boy, aged 5, was initially left in a serious condition after the incident at Kilminchy, Portlaoise on Saturday.
But he died a short time later in hospital.
Emergency services raced to the scene shortly after 4:20pm after the collision between the child pedestrian and a car.
He was pronounced dead at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. A post mortem will now take place.
The driver of the car, a woman in her 40s, was not injured.
In a statement on Saturday evening, Gardai said: “Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred at Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co. Laois this afternoon Saturday 22nd February, 2025.
“The collision involving a pedestrian and a car occurred at approximately 4.20pm.
“A male pedestrian, aged 5 years was fatally injured and was removed from the scene to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in a serious condition. He was pronounced deceased a short time later and a post mortem examination will take place in due course.
“The female driver of the car, aged in her 40s was not injured.
“The road is currently closed and will remain closed overnight and a technical examination is due to be carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators tomorrow morning, Sunday 23rd February, 2025.”
Gardai have issued an appeal to the public.
A spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co. Laois between 4:00pm and 5:00pm this afternoon are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
